It's normal to be anxious when you ride on an electric scooter for the first time. The good news is that riding an electric scooter is incredibly simple. They are simpler to ride than bicycles. If you grew up using a push scooter, an e-scooter would be completely natural to you.
Part 1. What to Do Before Riding on an Electric Scooter?
You won't even need to kick yourself forward with your feet with certain types of e-scooter. However, you should always put safety at the front of your mind whenever you are on the road, even if you feel comfortable to ride on electric scooter. So, what exactly should you do before riding an electric scooter?
1. Wear Appropriate Protective Gear
The same bicycle safety gear can also be ideal for an e-scooter. You need to wear appropriate gear before riding your e-scooter.
- Helmet: No matter how short, safe, or slow the trip is, you must always wear a helmet when you ride on an electric scooter. The minimum is a bike helmet with CPSC certification, but you might want something more robust for faster speeds.
- Clothing: While riding an electric scooter, you might not think that dressing properly is crucial, but wearing the wrong attire can expose you to risks. When getting ready for riding on an electric scooter, layer your clothing and ensure the outermost layer is the brightest. It increases your visibility.
- Gloves: Wear gloves while cycling in the cold to keep your hands alert for braking and acceleration.
2. Find A Big Empty Open Space to Practice
You must find an empty space to practice before taking your scooter out in public. So, look for big and empty parking lots during the day or try an empty riding track in a nearby park.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Your Scooter and Its Functions
Becoming comfortable with your electric ride-on scooter before you begin to ride is crucial. Make sure you know where the brakes, bell, lights, and accelerator are.
If you've just acquired your electric ride-on scooter, it's advisable to test it out in a safe outside setting, such as a parking lot, so you can get a feel for how the throttle and brakes operate.
You can try out your electric ride-on scooter without turning it on by using it as a typical kick scooter if you want to be extra cautious. However, you may get a fair idea of how the brakes, steering, and balance feel from this.
Also, it would help if you tried different speed modes to see which one suits you and practice slowing down the momentum using the brakes. Lastly, check the lights on your e-scooter for night riding.
4. Do A General Check of Your Scooter
Before you go out riding on an electric scooter, check the tire pressure, brakes, and folding mechanism. This way, you won't be caught off-guard if anything goes awry.
Part 2. 7 Steps on How to Ride an Electric Scooter
Here are the topmost steps to safely riding on an electric scooter.
- Step 1. Set down your e-scooter on a flat road or sidewalk, and never begin on a rough road or a slope the first time.
- Step 2. Slowly raise the kickstand and use one of your feet to lift the kickstand. It will either fit underneath your scooter or next to it, depending on which one you have.
- Step 3. Position your feet and put one foot on the scooter deck's front. Grasp the handlebars with your hands.
- Step 4. Position your dominant leg onto the scooter deck. Put your sturdy foot behind the one you are standing on and balance yourself. You can maintain your balance by doing this.
- Step 5. Gently accelerate the throttle. Although the throttles on all electric scooters differ, the operation is the same. You should begin with a steady motion to get the scooter rolling.
- Step 6. Maintain a solid grip on the handlebars. Move the handlebars to find balance. This will force the e-scooter to turn when the handlebars are turned.
- Step 7. Put the brakes on to reduce speed. Avoid abrupt braking because it can make you fall off the scooter.
Part 3. 5 Common Mistakes While Riding on an Electric Scooter
Here are the topmost mistakes riders make when it's their first time.
- Accelerating too fast: When the throttle has been pressed too far, you can lose your balance. If you do this, you can slide off the deck and lose control of the scooter.
- Pulling the brake lever too hard: Hard braking can harm your brakes and knock you off the scooter. So, you should only apply sudden brakes in an emergency.
- Turning the handlebars too far: You risk falling off your scooter if you turn the handlebars too far. Moving slowly and steadily is ideal for anything on an electric scooter.
- Leaning the scooter: Don't try leaning the scooter in one direction during your initial stages. This will throw you off balance.
- Not wearing safety gear: Always wear safety gear. So, even if you crash, you can protect your body against serious injuries.
Part 4. What to Do After Riding on an Electric Scooter?
It's crucial to keep your electric ride on scooter safe when you reach your location. Although it is always safest to travel with your scooter, and there are frequently inventive methods to achieve this, there are instances when this is not an option, and you cannot fold and take your scooter with you.
So, lock your scooter, double-check the lock, and park it in a safe place. Also, make sure to wipe your scooter if it is wet. If you were driving during rainy conditions or on wet surfaces, wipe the scooter to ensure it's dry when you park it.
Some scooters, such as the brilliant TurboAnt V8 new model, offer flexible storage options for you. This dual-battery electric scooter provides the following at your fingertips.
- Batteries: 2 x 7.5 Ah Dual Batteries (Deck Battery + Detachable Stem Battery)
- Motor: 450-Watt Brushless Motor (Front motor)
- Maximum Speed: 20 mph
- Maximum Range: 50 miles (Powered by a 15 Ah dual-battery system)
- Load Capacity: 275 lb.
- Tires: 9.3-Inch Pneumatic Tires
- Suspension: Dual-Spring Rear Suspension
TurboAnt V8's new model offers maximum power at your disposal with dual batteries, a new feature introduced by the manufacturer to maximize your range and power on rides. So, you can enjoy an amazing range with exceptional wattage for your rides.
Conclusion
Although it's not particularly difficult to learn to ride on an electric scooter, mastering the skill of commuting safely in traffic takes practice. Wear a helmet, practice, and acquire confidence before riding in mixed traffic if you're a beginner.
It's not that hard, and most individuals can start comfortably in about 10 minutes. Safety equipment is crucial, and once you become used to your e-scooter, you can travel at incredible speeds with greater comfort and convenience.
